MP Robin Tucker Urges Govt To Take Action
“This issue has dragged on for too long and the Government should be taking swift action to protect people and pets from dangerous dogs before something else tragic happens,” MP Robin Tucker said.
Ms Tucker said, “On June 12 last year, in response to parliamentary questions in the Upper House, Senator Lindsay Simmons, who is also the Canine Advisory Committee Chairperson, confirmed that the Committee [report] recommendations are currently being compiled for internal review and prioritised. Shortly after, former Minister Walter Roban confirmed receipt and said that he was considering the recommendations in the report.
“At the same Senate meeting, Senator Simmons confirmed that 1 September 2024, was the planned implementation date for the digital reporting system originally announced in 2023. That system is supposed to make it easier for the public to report dog attacks. Nine months later, there’s been no rollout.”
“Senator Simmons also said the reason that tickets had never been issued for minor offences was because the ticketing provisions were not yet in force. She said that amendments to the regulations were still required although the format of the ticket has been developed, and an administrative process for entering the tickets into the court case management system has been completed.”
“How has there been no progress on the amendments, especially when the government rushed legislation to allow the importation of classic cars for people to drive on weekends and public holidays, and yet we have unaddressed issues with dog attacks that have gone on for years.”
“The alarm bells were ringing loudly long before the election, so to use it as an excuse for not moving forward is a stretch. Saying something is a priority doesn’t demonstrate that it is one – taking prompt action does, and we haven’t seen any from the Government on this.
“The government must act speedily before someone else gets seriously injured or worse. This issue has dragged on for too long and the Government should be taking swift action to protect people and pets from dangerous dogs before something else tragic happens. The Government promised it had a solution ‘coming soon’ for this important issue. Bermudians are now keen to see what it is.”
“Saying something is a priority doesn’t demonstrate that it is one”
Dear MP Tucker, are you really suggesting that politicians live up to their promises? I thought you knew better than to believe in fairy tales.
It is time to turn the volume up… Government is not hearing… or listening… or responding to the many issues that remain outstanding.